Marist poll results released Thursday show that most Americans blame former President Donald Trump for the Capitol riot last year, but also don’t think he’ll face criminal charges. On the other hand, our nation’s attorney general said it is possible.
“Look, no person is above the law in this country,” Attorney General Merrick Garland told a reporter Wednesday.
Then, the reporter cut in to ask “even a former president?”
“I don’t know how to – maybe I’ll say it again,” said Garland. “No person is above the law in this country. I can’t say anything more clearly than that.” He added that nothing prevents the Department of Justice from investigating someone who might be “criminally responsible…for attempting to undo a Democratic election.”
Trump – who before, during and after the 2020 presidential election has made unfounded claims that election fraud cost him a second term in the White House – held a “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington D.C. the same day as the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. Rioters in Trump gear were seen at the insurrection, and some Trump supporters have been arrested for participating.
During the riot, attendees attempted to prevent Congress for certifying votes from current President Joe Biden. They were also heard chanting “hang Mike Pence,” in reference to the vice president at the time, who Trump seemed to believe had power to prevent the certification of votes.
This summer, a House select committee to investigate the Capitol riot has held several hearings, with the last scheduled for Thursday evening.
According to The New York Times, at “each of its hearings this summer, the panel has presented evidence that lawmakers and aides believe could be used to bolster a criminal case against Mr. Trump.”
Details uncovered by the committee that they believe could be evidence of a “conspiracy to defraud the American people” include: information about Trump’s plan to submit false slates of electors and information about his plot to disrupt the electoral count on Capitol Hill. The false electors plot could lead to charges of filing false documents to the government and the electoral count plot could lead to prosecution for obstructing an official proceeding of Congress, said The New York Times.
It also said the committee plans to accuse “the former commander in chief of dereliction of duty for failing to call off the assault carried out in his name.”
Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), who is leading questioning Thursday alongside fellow military veteran Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), said she was not sure Mr. Trump could be charged with a criminal offense as a result of his inaction, the outlet added.
Only 28% of U.S. adults believe Trump will face criminal charges. However, 57% think he deserves some blame for the riot and 50% think he should face charges, according to the poll. Republicans are less likely to believe the GOP politician should face charges, with 87% saying he should not be charged.
While 86% of Democrats and 52% of independent voters view the events of Jan. 6 to be a threat to Democracy, only 12% of Republicans believe so, the poll found.
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